The board of education has approved the final layoff notice to over 40 staff members, the article stated.

According to the article, the decision has been a long time coming since the district decided earlier in the school year to contract with the private custodial company Grand Rapids Building Services (GRBS).

All laid-off employees will be given the opportunity to apply with GRBS, the article noted.

"We continue to remain hopeful that at least some of these folks will make a decision to work with GRBS," said Superintendent Mary Kay Gallagher.